Adrift between the Scottish and Norwegian coasts, the craggy Shetland Islands form the most northerly point of the British Isles. Sprawling across 100 islands, connected by sandy bridges and crisscrossing ferries. With incredible Neolithic history, spanning 5,000 years of human heritage, these islands, which sit just shy of the Arctic Circle, are an isolated and immense treasure trove of history and thrilling scenery. Look out over dramatic coastline from atmospheric Iron Age towers. Sweeping, windswept beaches and wisps of sand connect islands and rugged cliffs.
The islands are also home to some of the most adorable four-legged creatures you’ll ever meet, the diminutive and wavy-fringed, Shetland Ponies who roam the hills and reach a maximum size of 42 inches. Don't be fooled, though, they are amongst the strongest and toughest of all breeds. Their existence here points to Viking history, as local horses bred with ponies brought ashore by Norse settlers, creating the lovable crossbreed that is an icon of these islands today.
tour Northmavine
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"Depart Lerwick, the largest town in Shetland dating from the 1600s, and travel 80 minutes to the North West of the Shetland Mainland. The scenery becomes more and more spectacular as you head north through Brae, crossing Mavis Grind where the North Sea almost meets the Atlantic Ocean, passing the Drongs; a sea stack for a photo stop"
The whole tour was screwed up. The museum was not available for reasons that were not clear., They substituted a stop at a silver workshop - a 30 minute stop in a classic bus tour tourist trap
"Drive to the Braewick café for refreshments with views of the spectacular seascapes". Refreshments were a stale cup of coffee and a shortcake biscuit (cunningly hidden under the op turned coffee cup). Silversea had chosen the cheapest and nastiest of tours here. The guide was so ashamed of the whole fiasco, that she broke down in tears, as the punters were getting somewhat upset.
"Transfer to the historic Eshaness lighthouse, and take in the view of the sea stacks and natural arches formed by the action of volcano and glacier tens of thousands of years ago. Look closely and you may notice that the black basalts and purple andesites that form the cliffs contain agates and amethysts. Some of Britain's oldest rock, at nearly three billion years old, is not far away. A short walk along the cliff top allows you to savor and photograph the beautiful scenery.
Make the return trip to the port".
Click on any thumbnail photo and get a larger photo
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